Reading FC target Tomas Rogic

Reading FC director of football Nick Hammond has Australian wonderkid Tomas Rogic in his sights

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Australian wonderkid Tomas Rogic is a target for Reading.

The Central Coast Mariners’ attacking midfielder has been on Royals’ radar for some time and work permit issues have previously prevented the club from signing the 20-year-old star.

However, director of football Nick Hammond has confirmed that Reading will try to do a deal in January. He said: “We’ll talk to the Mariners and take it from there.

“We’ve been monitoring Tom closely for the past year or so and were really disappointed when we couldn't sign him because of those work permit issues.

“He’s been doing really well and is a smashing lad. I have no doubt he has the potential to play in the Premier League.

“When we first tried to sign him (on a three-year deal) we were in the Championship but our opinion of him has only got higher as we have watched him continue to excel for the Mariners, who are a great club.

“I can’t say whether something will happen in January, but it’s not impossible.

“That said he is (under contract) with another club who we have great respect for and we will just have to wait and see whether anything comes of it.”

Rogic, who has scored three goals in 11 A-League games this season, was sent off for a rash tackle in their 1-0 defeat to Sydney FC on Thursday.

Royals manager Brian McDermott has also played down reports linking Andrey Arshavin with a switch from Arsenal to Madejski Stadium.

When asked if he was going to sign the Russia forward, McDermott said: “I don’t think so.

“At this time of year you hear lots of rumours. I have heard that one. We are talking at the moment regarding players.

“We don’t generally deal in big prices. I would like to bring in two or three with a little bit of experience at the level.”